The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy
Minister Kumara Jayakody outlined ongoing and planned renewable energy projects, including signed and forthcoming solar PPAs, the Siyambalanduwa and Sampur solar projects, and permits for 112 MW of solar and 60 MW of wind power. He said tenders and agreements are progressing for battery storage and frequency control systems, including a Renewable Energy Desk under National System Control to manage real-time solar inflows. He rejected claims that the Government is undermining renewables or reducing existing rooftop solar tariffs, stating that current 20-year contracts will be honoured while future pricing will be adjusted according to economic conditions. He called on the Opposition to engage constructively in reforming the energy system to reduce costs and improve competitiveness.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Construction has commenced on 51 solar PPAs already signed. Within the next three months, signings for a further 46 MW will be completed. Thereafter, awards totaling 156 MW will be made. Tenders for another 152 MW are being prepared. A 100 MW solar project in Siyambalanduwa is set to commence; preliminaries are complete. The Sampur solar project will proceed in two phases—50 MW and 70 MW; the foundation stone has been laid. I have granted energy permits for 112 MW of solar and 60 MW of wind; these are moving forward.
¶ 02 Additionally, a battery energy storage system for solar PV generation is being introduced to stabilize the grid during high solar output: we are preparing tenders for fifteen systems totaling 150 MW/600 MWh (15 x 10 MW/40 MWh). Separately, a 100 MWh frequency control system at Kolonnawa has been signed (loan agreement in December) and initial work is underway. Planning for these began before recent disruptions. Under National System Control, we are also establishing a dedicated Renewable Energy Desk to monitor and control real-time solar inflows—an area previously neglected despite rapid, campaign-driven additions. With USD 200 million in support, this RE desk is being developed.
¶ 03 Therefore we have not undermined renewables; claims to the contrary are false propaganda. Anti-government elements are spreading baseless stories—that we will cut household rooftop tariffs, and other scare tactics. All existing contracts are for 20 years; new agreements continue to be signed. We will not change a single cent on those. But going forward, prices will be adjusted with economics—up or down. To reduce costs for the people and industries, and to make Sri Lanka—currently with one of the region’s highest energy costs—competitive and attractive to investors, we must proceed this way, and we will.
¶ 04 We ask the Opposition to look at this properly, discuss with us. We have no deals. Let us together put this on the right track and use your experience correctly—not to repeat mistakes but to fix the system we inherited. It will take a little time, but we are working on it and will get there. I conclude with that assurance.
¶ 05 Thank you very much.
¶ 06 It being past 7.00 p.m., the Hon. Presiding Member adjourned Parliament without Question put.
¶ 07 Parliament adjourned accordingly at 7.04 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 10th April, 2025.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Wednesday, 9 April 2025 ·No. 1747807095041246 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Kumara Jayakody - Minister of Energy. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 9 April 2025. No. 1747807095041246. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/4014